A MOTHER and her three-year-old son have gone on the run after a judge ruled that the youngster should be handed over to his father.

Rebecca Minnock, 35, left her home in Highbridge, Somerset with son Ethan two weeks ago and has not been seen since.

The pair went missing following a court order that he should live with father Roger Williams.

Despite a police investigation and campaign by Mr Williams to find his son, their whereabouts remains a mystery.

In a highly unusual step, Judge Stephen Wildblood QC allowed the case to be reported for the first time today in a bid to help find Ethan and reunite him with his father.

SWNS

The pair went missing following a court order that he should live with father Roger Williams.

Miss Minnock's brother Marvin Shaw, sister Limmie Shaw and mother Louise Minnock have appeared at Bristol Crown Court accused of withholding information that would lead to Miss Minnock and Ethan being located.

The judge said the family members would face charges including contempt of court and perjury if they were not honest in what they knew about Ethan and his mother.

Ethan has lived with his mother since his parents separated in February 2013.

However, his father Mr Williams started legal proceedings in March 2013, when he applied for contact with Ethan.

The stakes are now exceptionally high

Judge Stephen Wildblood QC

Last week a judge ruled that the three-year-old should live with Mr Williams after finding that Miss Minnock had made false allegations and obstructed contact between father and son.

But Miss Kinnock's family insist she has been treated unfairly by police and social services.

Her brother, Mr Shaw wrote on Facebook: "She's not missing. I know where they both are. And there [sic] both very safe now and just to let you know because I know you are reading this."